>No, no. No doubt. This is the aura's doing, but we can be stronger than it. With our companions at our side, we are stronger than it.
>"If we stand down now, people are going to die. That demon will make sure of it. I will gladly submit to whatever questioning you wish afterward, but it is imperative that we be allowed to continue our mission."
>Take Rin's hand. We may need her strength - and even if not - we need her warmth. Her presence. Her anchor to a self unafflicted by the darkness in the air.
>"What do you think will happen if you
don't?" the oni asks pointedly. "These blasters have more than just the stun setting, girl. I've had to shoot people in the line of duty before. I didn't like it then, and I won't like it now. None of my people do."
>As the hulking oni talks, you try once more to fend off the relentless pressure upon your mind. You'd almost rather be dealing with Satori again. At least then you knew you were doing good and that you could hold out against the evil opposing you. On the other hand, Rin wasn't able to be there with you at points during that encounter. But she is here now, and your hand finds hers as you weigh your options here, limited though they may be. Her presence alone always makes you feel better, and that sensation only strengthens with her touch. You do worry for her, though. You have proven yourself capable of surviving things that might otherwise have killed a normal person, but staring down the barrel of nearly a dozen blaster rifles still isn't easy. What if those mundane weapons affect you- No, affect HER more than you'd expect. The thought of red blaster blots burning your Rin down... That would be a distracting though even if you didn't have other things on your mind right now.
>"Surrender." the big oni entreats again. "If what you say is true, you'll have a chance to prove it downtown. The Chief is real good at handling this stuff, maybe you could even talk to-"
>"She can talk to her now." a commanding voice rings out through the hall, and more than just your head turns to look at its source, a woman on the second floor of the room. Your first thought is that she really doesn't look like a police chief. She wears a rich purple dress underneath an elaborately trimmed white vest. Instead of any kind of normal police gear, a thin sword is belted at her right hip with a thick sculpt of a star or sun attached to its hilt. Her blonde pointy hair, styled almost like a set of animals' ears, is just slightly less outrageous than the thick purple high-collared cape draped over her shoulders. The thing is nearly floor-length and not at all practical, and to some it might promote an air of authority. To you, frankly, she just looks a bit ridiculous. Especially since she seems to be wearing earmuffs. The two women standing next to her, wearing white armored variants on the Mayoiga police uniform and carrying heavy blaster carbines, are much easier to take seriously. Unlike every other officer, however, these two are not pointing their weapons at you. Yet.
>"Magical Lotus." she calls down to you, magically amplifying her voice. "You claim that you have come to this airport to slay a demon?"
>Kiku, if we were to take to the air instead and make a break for it, do you think you could wall off pursuit? ...in a way that wouldn't damage the airport?
>
Yes. Though I would have to change back to my humanoid form to do so. I would need cover.